The Impact of School Gardening on Cree Children's Knowledge and Attitudes toward Vegetables and Fruit
Publication: Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
21 May 2015
Abstract
Purpose: School-based interventions may increase children's preferences for vegetables and fruit (V&F). This Canadian study measured changes in Indigenous First Nations schoolchildren's V&F knowledge, preferences, and home consumption following the implementation of a gardening and V&F snack program.
Methods: At baseline, 7 months, and 18 months, children in grades 1–6 (i) listed at least 5 V&F they knew, (ii) tasted and indicated their preferences towards 9 vegetables and 8 fruit using a 6-point Likert scale, and (iii) indicated their home consumption of 17 V&F.
Results: At all 3 time points, 56.8% (n = 66/116) of children provided data. Children listed a greater number of V&F at 18 months (4.9 ± 0.1) than at baseline (4.5 ± 1.0) or 7 months (4.7 ± .07) (F(1.6,105.6) = 6.225, P < 0.05). Vegetable preferences became more positive between baseline (37.9 ± 9.3) and 7 months (39.9 ± 9.2), but returned to baseline levels at 18 months (37.3 ± 8.7) (F(1.6,105.8) = 4.581, P < 0.05). Fruit preferences at 18 months (42.7 ± 3.0) were greater than at baseline (41.1 ± 4.3) and at 7 months (41.9 ± 5.1) (F(1.7,113.3) = 3.409, P < 0.05). No change in V&F consumption occurred at home.
Conclusions: Despite improvements in V&F knowledge and preferences, home consumption of V&F did not occur. Complementing school-based programs with home-based components may be needed to influence V&F intake of children.
Résumé
Objectif. Les interventions en milieu scolaire pourraient augmenter l'appréciation des légumes et fruits (L et F) chez les enfants. Cette étude canadienne a mesuré les changements quant aux connaissances relatives aux L et F d'écoliers indigènes des Premières nations, leurs préférences et leur consommation de légumes et fruits à la maison après la mise en œuvre d'un programme de jardinage et de collations à base de L et F.
Méthodes. Au début de l'étude, à 7 mois et à 18 mois, des enfants de la 1re à la 6e année ont : (i) dressé la liste d'au moins 5 L et F qu'ils connaissaient; (ii) goûté à 9 légumes et 8 fruits et indiqué leurs préférences sur une échelle de Likert à 6 points et; (iii) indiqué leur consommation à la maison de 17 L et F.
Résultats. À chacun des 3 points dans le temps, 56,8% (n = 66/116) des enfants ont fourni des données. Les enfants ont énuméré un plus grand nombre de L et F à 18 mois (4,9 ± 0,1) qu'au début de l'étude (4,5 ± 1,0) ou à 7 mois (4,7 ± 0,07) (F(1,6;105,6) = 6,225; p < 0,05). L'appréciation des légumes a augmenté entre le début de l'étude (37,9 ± 9,3) et 7 mois (39,9 ± 9,2), pour ensuite revenir aux valeurs initiales à 18 mois (37,3 ± 8,7) (F(1,6;105,8) = 4,581; p < 0,05). L'appréciation des fruits à 18 mois (42,7 ± 3,0) était plus marquée qu'au début de l'étude (41,1 ± 4,3) et qu'à 7 mois (41,9 ± 5,1) (F(1,7;113,3) = 3,409; p < 0,05). Aucun changement n'est survenu quant à la consommation de L et F à la maison.
Conclusions. En dépit des améliorations en lien avec les connaissances et l'appréciation des L et F, la consommation de L et F à la maison ne s'est pas produite. Il pourrait être nécessaire de compléter les programmes en milieu scolaire avec certains éléments à la maison pour influencer la consommation de L et F des enfants.
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Information & Authors
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Published In
Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
Volume 76 • Number 3 • September 2015
Pages: 133 - 139
History
Version of record online: 21 May 2015
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Mahitab A. Hanbazaza MSc, Lucila Triador MSc, Geoff D.C. Ball PhD, RD, Anna Farmer PhD, RD, Katerina Maximova PhD, Alexander First Nation, and Noreen D. Willows PhD. 2015. The Impact of School Gardening on Cree Children's Knowledge and Attitudes toward Vegetables and Fruit. Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research.
76(3): 133-139. https://doi.org/10.3148/cjdpr-2015-007
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2. The Impact of Canadian School Food Programs on Children’s Nutrition and Health: A Systematic Review
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